The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that hearing loss is one of the most common birth defects, with a frequency of approximately one to three infants per 1000 births. Untreated hearing loss can lead to delays in speech, language, and cognitive development in the child, resulting in learning disabilities. The educational costs associated with these problems can be significant. The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) estimates that special education services resulting from hearing impairment can total $400,000 for one child from kindergarten through high school graduation. States can therefore save millions of dollars by implementing early intervention and treatment strategies.
The California Newborn Hearing Screening Program is part of this intervention plan.
The Hearing and Speech Ages and Stages outline what to look for in infants and children of various ages to ensure a child is hearing and developing language skills on track.